Russia and US move to block a UN mandate to negotiate binding autonomous weapons rules
The Guardian reports that Russia, the US and Israel, among others, oppose setting a timetable for a legally binding instrument at the 16–20 November review conference in Geneva; the scale of opposition becomes clear at a retreat that starts Friday.
Why it matters
Autonomous weapons have been discussed at the UN for nearly three years without a binding rule. The Geneva review conference is seen as the moment states could agree a mandate to negotiate a legally binding instrument on a defined timetable, and the Guardian reports that Russia, the US and Israel, among others, are pushing against setting one. Pope Leo XIV and the International Committee of the Red Cross have both urged a move from discussion to negotiation. Watch the outcome of the 16–20 November conference and whether other states back negotiations anyway.
Key facts
- Review conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, Geneva, 16–20 November
- 128 countries due to attend
- Russia, the US and Israel, among others, oppose a timetable for a binding instrument
- Pope Leo XIV urges that AI be "disarmed" and lethal autonomous weapons banned
- ICRC says it is time to move from discussion to negotiation